Biography

Montgomery Bernard Alexander, 6 June 1944, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Alexander has built a reputation as a dynamic and technically brilliant pianist in the Art Tatum / Oscar Peterson seam without ever extending that virtuoso tradition. He began playing the piano from an early age. His expert tuition and enthusiasm led to him supporting many top Jamaican session men in the 50s covering R&B hits, which with the emphasis on the second beat led to the birth of ska. In 1958, he formed his own band, Monty And The Cyclones, who released a series of obscure singles through to 1960. Following the groups demise, he formed another band called Dogget, alongside, Neville Anderson and Vidal Smith while he completed his education at the Jamaica College in Kingston. In 1961, after finishing school, Alexander left Jamaica with his mother to live in Miami, USA where he embarked on a career as a pianist in local clubs. The following year he was invited to play in Las...